SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR OPERATING A PLURALITY OF WELLS THROUGH A SINGLE BORE
Systems and methods usable to operate on a plurality of wells through a single main bore are disclosed herein. One or more chamber junctions are provided in fluid communication with one or more conduits within the single main bore. Each chamber junction includes a first orifice communicating with the surface through the main bore, and one or more additional orifices in fluid communication with individual wells of the plurality of wells. Through the chamber junctions, each of the wells can be individually or simultaneously accessed. A bore selection tool having an upper opening and at least one lower opening can be inserted into the chamber junction such that the one or more lower openings align with orifices in the chamber junction, enabling selected individual or multiple wells to be accessed through the bore selection tool while other wells are isolated from the chamber junction.
The present application is a continuation-in-part application that claims priority to United States patent application having patent application Ser. No. 12/587,360, entitled “Systems And Methods For Operating A Plurality Of Wells Through A Single Bore, filed Oct. 6, 2009, which claims priority to United Kingdom patent application having Patent Application Number 0910777.2, entitled “Batch Drilling And Completion System For A Plurality Of Wells,” filed Jun. 23, 2009, the United Kingdom patent application having Patent Application Number 0902198.1, entitled “Batch Drilling And Completion System For A Plurality Of Well Bores,” filed Feb. 11, 2009, and the United Kingdom patent application having Patent Application Number 0821352.2, entitled “Batch Drilling And Completion System For A Plurality Of Wellbores,” filed Nov. 21, 2008, all of which are incorporated herein in their entirety by reference.
FIELDThe present invention relates, generally, to systems and methods usable to perform operations on a plurality of wells through a single main bore having one or more conduits within, the operations including batch drilling and completion operations that are usable within surface regions or near surface regions of strata.
BACKGROUNDConventional methods for performing operations on multiple wells within a region require numerous bores and conduits, coupled with associated valve trees, wellheads, and other equipment. Typically, above-ground conduits or above mudline-conduits and related pieces of production and/or injection equipment are used to communicate with each well. As a result, performing drilling, completion, and other similar operations within a region having numerous wells can be extremely costly and time-consuming, as it is often necessary to install above-ground or above-mudline equipment to interact with each well, or to erect a rig, then after use, disassemble, jack down and/or retrieve anchors, and move the rig to each successive well.
Existing multilateral completion systems, such as U.S. Pat. No. 6,283,216 B1, teach establishing multiple branch wells from a common depth point, called a node, which is deep within a well, by using expandable metal conduits. However large bore expandable metal conduits are neither practiced nor suitable for large diameter, near surface well junctions, due to the inherent properties of metals that are expandable in place within the subterranean strata and their consequential lack of heat treatment and stress relief, which causes the burst and collapse pressure ratings to be inferior to those of rigid, conventional conduits, exclusively practiced for surface and intermediate casings. Additionally, as supported by U.S. Pat. No. 6,283,216 B1, prior art junctions comprise singular unit constructs suffering from significant diameters restrictions, wherein conventional technology cannot provide a borehole of sufficient outer diameter to place a single unit junction, having sufficient diameter outlet passages, for accessing deep strata with conventional apparatuses because, for example, prior uses of recessed receptacle conduit connections have restricted passage therethrough.
A need exists for a subterranean conduit hanger and wellhead system that is disposable within the surface or near surface strata, which provides a substantially continuous diameter passage for communicating fluids and well components, wherein the system comprises boring bits, liner hangers, packers and other apparatus, through junction outlets to communicate and interact with deeper strata.
Significant hazards and costs exist for performing these same drilling, completion, and other similar operations for numerous wells, and the hazards and costs increase in harsh environments, such as those beneath the surface of the ocean, arctic regions, or situations in which space is limited, such as when operating from an offshore platform or artificial island. Additionally, the cost of above-ground or above-mudline valve trees and related equipment can be economically disadvantageous, and the use of such above-ground or above-mudline equipment can be subject to numerous environmental or other industry regulations that limit the number of wells, due to significant negative environmental impact.
A need exists for systems and methods usable to produce and/or inject through a plurality of independent well bores and/or to perform other operations on multiple wells in a region through a single main bore.
A further need exists for systems and methods usable to operate on multiple wells through a single main bore, including laterally spaced wells within a region, in excess of distances achievable using conventional multilateral branches, having batch operations capabilities across a plurality of wells without requiring movement of the rig.
A need also exists for systems and methods to produce and/or inject through a plurality of wells within a region, usable within near surface strata, to minimize surface based equipment and the costs and negative environmental impacts associated therewith.
The present invention meets these needs.
SUMMARYThe present invention relates, generally, to systems and methods usable to perform operations on a plurality of wells through a single main bore having one or more conduits within, including batch drilling and completion operations that can be usable within surface regions or near surface regions of strata.
Embodiments of the systems, for operating the plurality of wells through a single main bore, can include at least one chamber junction, which can include a first orifice that is in communication with at least one conduit of the single main bore, and a plurality of additional orifices. Each additional orifice can communicate with an additional conduit to form a substantially continuous diameter passage, and each additional conduit can be in communication with a selected well of the plurality of wells. The embodiments of the systems can further include a bore selection tool, which can be adapted for insertion through the first orifice and can include an exterior wall, an opening that can be aligned with the first orifice, and one or more lower openings. Each of the one or more lower openings of the bore selection tool can be aligned with an orifice, of the plurality of additional orifices, such that the exterior wall of the bore selector tool can prevent communication with another orifice of the plurality of additional orifices for selectively operating the plurality of wells through the single mail bore.
The chamber junctions can include a plurality of parts, wherein each part of the plurality of parts can have a maximum dimension less than the inner diameter of the single main bore for enabling passage of each part of the plurality of parts through the single main bore for downhole assembly of one or more chamber junctions. The chamber junction can include a first chamber junction that can have a plurality of orifices and a second chamber junction, which can be engaged with a selected orifice of the plurality of additional orifices. One or more of the plurality of parts of the chamber junction can be in communication with a securing tool that can apply force to at least one part, of the plurality of parts, to establish contact between the at least one part and at least one other part of the plurality of parts. The securing tool can include a movable piston that can contact the at least one part by using pressure within at least one portion of the securing tool, application of force through at least one portion of the securing tool, application of torque through at least one portion of the securing tool, or combinations thereof, to generate force.
A chamber junction may comprise a downhole assembled subterranean wellhead suitable for placing a plurality of conduits concentrically through a substantially continuous diameter passage, wherein each substantially continuous diameter passage can comprise a dimension that is less than the diameter of a conduit hanger, which is securable between the upper end of each additional conduit and the chamber of the chamber junction.
The bore selection tool can be rotatably movable within a first orifice, axially movable within a first orifice, or combinations thereof, and movement of the bore selection tool can align the at least one lower opening with a differing additional orifice of the plurality of additional orifices. In addition, rotation of the bore selection tool can align the exterior wall of the bore selection tool with at least one differing additional orifice of the plurality of additional orifices.
In an embodiment, each additional orifice, of the plurality of additional orifices, can be rotationally displaced from each other additional orifice, vertically displaced from each other additional orifice, or combinations thereof. At least one of the additional orifices can comprise at least one isolation device or choke. In other embodiments, an isolation device or a choke can be disposed within at least one of the wells, or in both of the one or more wells and the one or more additional orifices.
Embodiments of the present invention include at least one chamber junction and at least a portion of the single main bore disposed beneath the earth's surface, wherein the at least one chamber junction can be disposed within a surface region or a shallow, near surface region of strata. At least one valve, at least one manifold, or combinations thereof, can be in communication with the at least one chamber junction and disposed beneath the earth's surface.
In an embodiment of the present system, a single valve tree can be in communication with an upper end of the single main bore, and the single valve tree can be operable to communicate with any well of the plurality of wells. Additional embodiments can include at least one conduit, of the single main bore, that can include at least one first conduit that can be usable for production and at least one second conduit, which can be usable for transporting substances into at least one well of the plurality of wells. In an embodiment, the at least one second conduit can be disposed concentrically about the at least one first conduit. In another embodiment, the at least one first conduit can be disposed concentrically about the at least one second conduit. In still another embodiment, the at least one first conduit and the at least one second conduit can be arranged in parallel.
In an embodiment, the system can include a plurality of additional orifices that can include at least three additional orifices for independent or simultaneous communication with at least three wells of the plurality of wells. The additional orifices can be disposed, vertically, from the first orifice by a height generally equal to that of each other of the additional orifices.
The at least one chamber junction, the bore selection tool, or combinations thereof, can include a protruding member that can be configured for engagement within a complementary receptacle, which can be disposed within the other of the bore selection tool, the at least one chamber junction, or combinations thereof, and engagement between the protruding member and the complementary receptacle can orient the bore selection tool, such that the at least one lower opening can be aligned with at least one of the additional openings of the at least one chamber junction. In an embodiment, the at least one chamber junction can include a plurality of unique protruding members that can be configured for engagement within a complementary receptacle within a bore selection tool, a complementary receptacle that can be configured for engagement with a unique protruding member disposed on a bore selection tool, or combinations thereof.
In an embodiment, the system can include at least one circulating port that can be in communication with an annulus for circulating at least one fluid. In this embodiment, the bore selection tool can include a receptacle, which can be disposed above its upper opening and configured to engage a placement tool, a retrieval tool, or combinations thereof. In addition, the bore selection tool can include at least one protrusion, which can be sized to engage the at least one circulating port of the chamber junction, and engagement between the at least one protrusion and the at least one circulating port can orient the bore selection tool such that the at least one lower opening, of the bore selection tool, can be aligned with at least one of the additional openings of the at least one chamber junction.
In an embodiment, at least one of the additional orifices of the system comprises an incomplete circumference, and the bore selection tool can include an extension member, which can be positioned beneath the at least one lower opening and can be sized for passage through the at least one of the additional orifices to complete the incomplete circumference of the at least one additional orifice.
The present invention includes methods usable for operating a plurality of wells through a single main bore, which comprise at least one conduit, wherein the steps of the method include engaging a chamber junction, comprising a first orifice and a plurality of additional orifices, with a lower end of the at least one conduit; placing the first orifice of the chamber junction in communication with the at least one conduit; and placing at least two of the additional orifices in communication with respective additional conduits using substantially continuous diameter passages, wherein each of the additional conduits communicates with a selected well of the plurality of wells. The steps of the method can continue by inserting a bore selection tool, comprising an exterior wall, a first opening, and at least one second opening, into the at least one conduit, and orienting the bore selection tool within the at least one conduit, wherein the first opening can be aligned with the first orifice of the chamber junction, the at least one second opening can be aligned with an additional orifice of the plurality of additional orifices, and the exterior wall can prevent communication between the chamber junction and at least one of the additional orifices of the plurality of additional orifices.
In an embodiment, the at least one conduit of the single main bore can include at least one first conduit that can be usable for production and at least one second conduit that can be usable for transporting substances into at least one well of the plurality of wells, and the steps of the method can further comprise producing substances from at least one of the wells through the at least one first conduit, the at least one second conduit, or combinations thereof, while transporting substances into at least one of the wells through the at least one first conduit, the at least one second conduit, or combinations thereof, for facilitating production of one of the wells, maintaining pressure of one of the wells, disposing or storing materials within one of the wells, or combinations thereof.
In another embodiment, the methods for providing communication with a plurality of wells through a single main bore, comprising at least one conduit, can include providing a plurality of conduits that can include an upper end and a lower end, with each conduit of the plurality of conduits having a substantially continuous diameter, and orienting the plurality of conduits such that each upper end of each conduit can be generally proximate to each other upper end. The steps of the method can continue by providing at least one main conduit, which includes an internal cavity, an open upper end and a closed lower end, such that the at least one main conduit can enclose each of the upper ends of the plurality of conduits. In addition, the method steps can include removing material from the internal cavity of the at least one main conduit to form a chamber, such that each of the plurality of conduits can intersect the chamber at an open internal bore, which can include a plurality of additional orifices, thereby forming a chamber junction and providing a substantially continuous diameter passage between the plurality of orifices and plurality of conduits. In an embodiment, the method can include engaging the at least one main conduit with the at least one conduit of the single main bore, and engaging at least two of the plurality of conduits with selected wells of the plurality of wells, thereby enabling communication with each of the plurality of wells through the single main bore and the substantially continuous diameter passages of the chamber junction.
In an embodiment, the methods of the present invention can include providing a bore selection tool, which can include an exterior surface, an upper opening, a lower opening, and a diameter less than the diameter of the at least one main conduit, inserting the bore selection tool into the at least one main conduit, and aligning the lower opening of the bore selection tool with a selected additional orifice, thereby providing access to at least one of the plurality of conduits while the exterior surface isolates at least one other of the plurality of conduits.
In an embodiment, the bore selection tool can be provided with an interior guiding surface, which can be proximate to the lower opening, for enabling guidance of fluid and objects passed through the upper opening bore selection tool to the lower opening, and into the at least one of the plurality of conduits.
In other embodiments, the methods can include communicating through a substantially continuous passage by removing material from between the upper ends of the plurality of conduits and an intermediate point along the plurality of conduits to form a truncated point at the upper ends of the plurality of conduits, such that each of the conduits can comprise an incomplete circumference intersecting the chamber at its upper end, wherein internal or external truncations are usable with a bore selection tool, which can include an extension member that can be shaped to complete an incomplete circumference, to, in use, form a substantially continuous diameter passage for communicating fluid or objects therethrough, when the bore selection tool is inserted into the at least one main conduit and mated to the incomplete circumference.
In the detailed description of various embodiments of the present invention presented below, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Embodiments of the present invention are described below with reference to the listed Figures.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTSBefore explaining selected embodiments of the present invention in detail, it is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the particular embodiments described herein and that the present invention can be practiced or carried out in various ways.
The present invention relates, generally, to systems and methods usable to produce, inject, and/or perform operations on a plurality of wells, including multiple, laterally spaced wells, through a single main bore. To provide access to each of a desired selection of wells, one or more chamber junctions are provided in fluid communication with one or more conduits within the single main bore. The chamber junction is a construction having a chamber and plurality of orifices that intersect the chamber. A first of the orifices can be used to communicate with the surface through subterranean strata, via one or more conduits within the main bore, while one or more additional orifices within the chamber junction can be usable to communicate with any number of well bores through associated conduits, wherein the associated conduits use a substantially continuous diameter passage. Thus, a chamber junction can have any shape or arrangement of orifices necessary to engage a desired configuration of conduits.
Any number and any arrangement of chamber junctions and/or communicating conduits can be inserted or urged through the single main bore and assembled, in series or in parallel, to accommodate any configuration of wells. Chamber junctions and conduits can also be assembled concentrically or eccentrically about one another, which both defines annuli usable to flow substances into or from selected wells, and provides multiple barriers between the surrounding environment and the interior of the chambers and conduits. A composite structure is thereby formed, which can include any number of communicating or separated conduits and chambers, with or without annuli, each conduit and/or annulus usable to communicate substances into or from a selected well.
Each of the wells can be individually or simultaneously accessed, produced, injected, and/or otherwise operated upon by inserting a bore selection tool into the chamber junction. The bore selection tool can include an exterior wall, an upper opening that is aligned with the first orifice when inserted, and one or more lower openings, each aligned with an additional orifice of the chamber junction to enable communication with the associated well bores. Use of a bore selection tool enables selective isolation and/or communication with individual wells or groups of wells, for performing various operations, including drilling, completion, intervention operations, and other similar undertakings. Required tools and equipment, drilling bottom hole assemblies, coiled tubing, wire line bottom hole assemblies, and similar items for performing an operation on a selected well bore can be lowered through the conduit, into the upper opening of the bore selection tool disposed within the chamber junction, then guided by the bore selection tool through a lower opening in the bore selection tool to enter the selected well bore. In one or more embodiments of the invention, the arrangement of the orifices within each chamber junction, can cause certain orifices to have an incomplete circumference. In such an embodiment, the bore selection tool can include an extension member sized and shaped for passage into one of the orifices, such that the extension member completes the circumference of the selected orifice when the bore selection tool is properly inserted and oriented, thereby enabling communication with the respective well through the orifice while isolating other orifices.
By providing selective access to a plurality of well bores through a single main composite bore, the present systems and methods provide greater efficiency and reduced expense over existing methods by reducing above-ground equipment requirements and reducing or eliminating the need to move, erect, and disassemble drilling rigs and similar equipment.
Conventional methods for reducing the number of conduits and the quantity of above-ground equipment used to produce or otherwise operate on a well are generally limited, the most common of such methods being the drilling of multilateral wells, which include multiple dependent bores drilled in a generally lateral direction from a central, main bore. Various embodiments of multilateral well technology are described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,564,503, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference.
To avoid the risk of collapse, lateral completion is typically only usable within competent rock formations, and the ability to access or re-enter the lateral well bore is limited, as is the ability to isolate production zones within the well bore. Further, lateral well bores are limited in their use and placement, being unsuitable for use within surface and near-surface regions of strata due to their generally open-hole construction.
The alternative to multilateral wells and similar methods includes the unrestricted spacing of single well bores within a region.
The present systems and methods overcome the limitations of the conventional approaches described above, and are usable to operate on any type or combination of wells, individually or simultaneously, including but not limited to producing hydrocarbons or geothermal energy, injecting water or lift gas to facilitate production, disposing of waste water or other waste substances into a waste well, injecting gas for pressure maintenance within a well or gas storage within a storage well, or combinations thereof. Further, the present systems and methods provide the ability to access each well, simultaneously or individually, for any operations, including batch completion operations, batch drilling operations, production, injection, waste disposal, or other similar operations, while preventing the migration and/or contamination of fluids or other materials between well bores and/or the environment.
Additionally, any number of valves, manifolds, other similar equipment, or combinations thereof, can be disposed in communication with the chamber junction in a subterranean environment within the composite main bore. A single valve tree or similar apparatus can then be placed in communication with the upper end of the main bore, the valve tree being operable for communicating with any of the wells. Conventional systems for combining multiple well bore conduits within a single tree are generally limited to above ground use, consuming surface space that can be limited and/or costly in certain applications. Additionally, unlike above-ground conventional systems, embodiments of the present system are usable in both above ground applications and subsea applications to reduce the quantity of costly manifolds and facilities required.
The present invention also relates to a method for providing communication with a plurality of wells through formation of chamber junctions. A plurality of conduits, which can include concentric conduits, can be provided and arranged, such that the upper end of each conduit is generally proximate to that of each other conduit. One or more main conduits, having an open upper end and a closed lower end, can then be provided, such that the upper ends of the plurality of conduits are enclosed by a main conduit. Material from the conduits, which can include portions of the main conduit, can be removed to form additional orifices for communication with one or more wells. Similarly, material from the main conduit, which can include portions of the conduits used to form the additional orifices, can be removed to define a chamber, with each of the conduits intersecting the chamber at one of the additional orifices. A bore selection tool with an upper orifice corresponding to the chamber upper end and one or more lower orifices corresponding to one or more of the additional orifices can be inserted into the chamber for providing access to one or more well bores through selected additional orifices while isolating other well bores.
The present systems and methods thereby provide the ability to produce, inject, and/or perform other operations on any number of wells within a region, through one or more conduits within a single bore, while enabling selective isolation and selective access to any individual well or combinations of wells. A minimum of surface equipment is required to access and control operations for each of the wells placed in communication with the chamber junction, a single valve tree being sufficient to communicate with each well through one or more conduits within the single bore.
Referring now to
In the depicted embodiment, a bore hole, which is capable of accepting a conductor casing chamber (43) or chamber junction, can be urged axially downwards with the conductor casing chamber (43) attached to the wellhead housing (124), the permanent guide base (122), and the subsea posts (123), such that multiple components can be run as a single unit and cemented in place (121).
It should be noted that
The conductor casing chamber (43), shown attached to the wellhead housing (124), includes a guide template (113) with passages of substantially continuous diameter to accept intermediate casing (115), with polished bore receptacles (PBR) (112) at the top of each intermediate casing (115). The intermediate casings and PBRs may also be disposed significantly deeper within additional conduits extending from the conductor casing.
To facilitate formation of an outer differential pressure barrier for the inclusion of gas lift or other stimulation measures, the space between the subterranean formation, conductor casing chamber (43), guide template (113), and intermediate casing (115) can be grouted (114) using a stab-in connector (not shown in
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The differential pressure containment chamber (43), with connectors and polished bore receptacle (PBR) mandrels attached below using inclined connectors (120), is run axially downward and plugged into the polished bore receptacles (112), attached to the intermediate casing (115) to form a differential pressure control barrier for preventing the escape of fluids, gases, or vapors, from the production or injection tubing, wherein the annulus pressure between the chamber junction (43 of
Referring now to
The first well bore is shown including sand screens (34) for near horizontal sand screen completion. The sand screens (34) and tubing conduit are placed in an unsupported or gravel-packed subterranean bore and tied back with tubing using a packer (31) to a liner or casing. An upper completion tubing conduit (27), with a second packer (30)) at its bottom, communicates with the well bore and is tied back to a polished bore receptacle and mandrel seal stack (26), which is secured to the tubing conduit (23) extending through the composite main bore (6).
The second well bore illustrates an open hole completion operation drilled underbalanced with coiled tubing (35), which is generally undertaken to minimize skin damage that occurs when performing through tubing conduit drilling methods.
The third well bore illustrates a cemented and perforated liner completion, in which cement (32), disposed about a conduit (27) or liner (28A), is provided with perforations (36). A liner top hanger and packer at (28), at the lower end of intermediate (29) or deeper casing (28A), can be used to secure the conduit (27) or a liner to the bottom of the intermediate casing or conduit (29).
In situations where a higher pressure bearing capacity is necessary, additional conduits (24) can be secured via securing devices (25) to the intermediate casing or conduit (29) and engaged to, for example, a multi-bore wellhead and valve tree.
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Extending the length of the additional orifice conduits (39) enables the central axis of the additional orifice conduits (39) to have a low angle of divergence from the central axis of the chamber (41), which aids passage of various tools and apparatuses through a bore selection tool inserted into the chamber (41) of the chamber junction (43) and into additional orifice conduits (39). In various embodiments of the invention, to maintain small angular deflections from vertical within the chamber junction (43), long chamber junctions can be utilized. Long chamber junctions can be split into parts sized for insertion into a subterranean bore.
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Embodiments of the present system can be installed by urging a subterranean bore into subterranean strata, then placing the lower end of a chamber junction at the lower end of the subterranean bore. A conduit is placed within the bore, its lower end connected to the upper end of the chamber junction. Sequentially, a series of additional subterranean bores can then be urged through one or more additional orifice conduits of the chamber junction, such as by performing drilling operations through the chamber junction and associated conduits. The upper ends of the conduits, that extend within the additional subterranean bores, can be secured to the lower ends of the additional orifice conduits. To sequentially access each additional orifice conduit when urging or interacting with additional subterranean bores extending to similar depths through similar geologic conditions, a bore selection tool, as described previously, can be inserted into the chamber junction to isolate one or more of the additional orifice conduits from one or more other additional orifice conduits, while facilitating access through the desired additional orifice for interacting with, urging axially downward and/or placing conduits or other apparatuses within the bores of the accessed well.
The drilling, completion, or intervention of a series of subterranean bores in this batch or sequential manner provides the benefit of accelerating the application of knowledge gained before it becomes lost or degraded through conventional record keeping methods or replacement of personnel, as each of the series of bores will pass through the same relative geologic conditions of depth, formation, pressure, and temperature, within a relatively condensed period of time as compared to conventional methods, allowing each subsequent bore to be drilled, completed, or otherwise interacted with more efficiently.
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The bore selection tool (47) is shown having an eccentric bore (56) with a lower end (57) in alignment with the extension member (48), which is shown having a partial internal bore (68) sized to complete the circumference of a selected additional orifice conduit of the smaller chamber junction when inserted therein. An index key or slot (55) is shown, the key or slot (55) being configured to engage with a complementary key or slot within the chamber junction, thereby orienting the bore selection tool (47) to align the eccentric bore (56) with an additional orifice conduit.
When the bore selection tool (47) is inserted into the overlapping, cloverleaf-shaped securing point profile of the additional orifices of the chamber junction of
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The lower flexible conduits (70) can pass through a guide plate (76), which can facilitate separation and orientation of the lower flexible conduits (70), and can abut with the bottom of an adjacent chamber junction, of a rigid material, if the depicted chamber junction (43) is inserted therein. The lower flexible conduits (70) are further shown including mandrel seal stacks (66), which can engage complementary receptacles when the chamber junction (43) is inserted into a second chamber junction.
In an exemplary operative embodiment of the invention, the chamber junction of
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In an embodiment of the present invention, parts of the smaller chamber junction can be secured and pressure sealed through the first orifice of the larger chamber junction having truncated additional orifice conduits, such as by placing differential pressure bearing seals between chamber junction parts. After pressure sealing the smaller chamber junction to the larger chamber junction, circulation can be accomplished using the circulating ports (94), which are separated from the remainder of the chamber junction by the lower plate (93), entering or exiting the chamber through the receptacle (92). After fluid circulation, the receptacle (92) can be plugged and differentially pressure sealed to make the resulting chamber junction pressure bearing. The receptacle (92) can be usable to orient bore selection tools and other chamber junctions inserted therein, by receiving a mandrel or similar orienting member.
The securing apparatus (87) can be placed over slip segments (105), such as the slip segment (105) depicted in
Referring now to
The mandrel (95) is shown protruding from beneath the chamber junction, which is intended for insertion within a corresponding mandrel receptacle (92), for providing orientation of the chamber junction through engagement with another member, facilitated by a ring (106) or similar protruding portion of the mandrel (95), adapted to engage and/or lock within a complementary receptacle. When two chamber junctions are engaged in this manner, the protruding portion of a first chamber junction mandrel can lock within a cavity (107) of a second chamber junction.
Circulation ports (110) between the receptacle (92) and the circulation ports (94), proximate to the circulation gap between the additional orifice conduits of the smaller chamber junction and the truncated additional orifice conduits of the larger chamber junction, are provided to enable the flow of circulating fluid, while check valves within the hydraulic ports (108, 109), which can be disengaged with a mandrel, can be used to maintain hydraulic fluid separate from circulated fluid through the circulation ports (110). Circulating passages (94) are shown disposed within the chamber junction, separated from securing apparatuses by a lower plate (93), to contain the circulation passageways.
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The present invention thereby provides systems and methods that enable any configuration or orientation of wells within a region to be operated through a single main bore, using one or more chamber junctions with associated conduits. A minimum of above-ground equipment is thereby required to selectively operate any number and any type of wells, independently or simultaneously, and various embodiments of the present systems and methods are usable within near surface subterranean strata.
While various embodiments of the present invention have been described with emphasis, it should be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the present invention might be practiced other than as specifically described herein.
Claims
1. A system for operating a plurality of wells through a single main bore comprising at least one conduit, the system comprising:
- at least one chamber junction comprising a first orifice in communication with said at least one conduit of the single main bore and a plurality of additional orifices, wherein each additional orifice communicates with an additional conduit using a substantially continuous diameter passage through each additional orifice and each additional conduit, and wherein each additional conduit is in communication with a selected well of the plurality of wells; and
- a bore selection tool adapted for insertion through the first orifice, wherein the bore selection tool comprises an exterior wall, an opening aligned with the first orifice, and at least one lower opening, wherein each lower opening is aligned with an orifice of the plurality of additional orifices, and wherein the exterior wall prevents communication with another orifice of the plurality of additional orifices.
2. The system of claim 1, wherein said at least one chamber junction comprises a plurality of parts, and wherein each part of the plurality of parts comprises a maximum dimension less than an inner diameter of the single main bore for enabling passage of each part of the plurality of parts through the single main bore for downhole assembly of said at least one chamber junction.
3. The system of claim 2, wherein said plurality of parts comprises a subterranean wellhead with a plurality of additional conduits placed concentrically through each substantially continuous diameter passage, and wherein each substantially continuous diameter passage comprises a dimension less than a diameter of a conduit hanger securable between an upper end of each additional conduit and said at least one chamber junction.
4. The system of claim 1, wherein said at least one chamber junction comprises a first chamber junction comprising the plurality of orifices and a second chamber junction engaged with a selected orifice of the plurality of additional orifices.
5. The system of claim 1, wherein the bore selection tool is rotatably movable within the first orifice, axially movable within the first orifice, or combinations thereof, wherein movement of the bore selection tool aligns said at least one lower opening with a differing additional orifice of the plurality of additional orifices, and wherein movement of the bore selection tool aligns the exterior wall with at least one differing additional orifice of the plurality of additional orifices.
6. The system of claim 1, wherein each additional orifice of the plurality of additional orifices is rotationally displaced from each other additional orifice, vertically displaced from each other additional orifice, or combinations thereof.
7. The system of claim 1, further comprising at least one isolation device or choke disposed within at least one of the wells, at least one of the additional orifices, or combinations thereof.
8. The system of claim 1, wherein said at least one chamber junction and at least a portion of the single main bore are disposed beneath a surface of earth.
9. The system of claim 8, wherein said at least one chamber junction is disposed within a surface region or a shallow, near surface region of strata.
10. The system of claim 8, further comprising at least one valve, at least one manifold, or combinations thereof, disposed beneath the surface of the earth and in communication with said at least one chamber junction.
11. The system of claim 2, further comprising a securing tool in communication with one or more of the plurality of parts, wherein the securing tool applies force to at least one part of the plurality of parts to establish contact between the at least one part and at least one other part of the plurality of parts.
12. The system of claim 11, wherein the securing tool comprises a piston movable to contact the at least one part using pressure within at least one portion of the securing tool, application of force through at least one portion of the securing tool, application of torque through at least one portion of the securing tool, or combinations thereof, to generate the force.
13. The system of claim 1, further comprising a single valve tree in communication with an upper end of the single main bore, wherein the single valve tree is operable to communicate with any well of the plurality of wells.
14. The system of claim 1, wherein said at least one conduit of the single main bore comprises at least one first conduit usable for production and at least one second conduit usable for transporting substances into at least one well of the plurality of wells.
15. The system of claim 14, wherein said at least one second conduit is disposed concentrically about said at least one first conduit or said at least one first conduit is disposed concentrically about said at least one second conduit.
16. The system of claim 14, wherein said at least one first conduit and said at least one second conduit are arranged in parallel.
17. The system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of additional orifices comprises at least three additional orifices for independent or simultaneous communication with at least three wells of the plurality of wells.
18. The system of claim 17, wherein each of the additional orifices are vertically disposed from the first orifice by a height generally equal to that of each other of the additional orifices.
19. The system of claim 1, wherein one of said at least one chamber junction, the bore selection tool, or combinations thereof, comprise a protruding member configured for engagement within a complementary receptacle disposed within the other of the bore selection tool, said at least one chamber junction, or combinations thereof, and wherein engagement between the protruding member and the complementary receptacle orients the bore selection tool such that said at least one lower opening is aligned with at least one of the additional openings of said at least one chamber junction. 20. The system of claim 19, further comprising a plurality of bore selection tools, wherein said at least one chamber junction comprises a plurality of unique protruding members configured for engagement within a complementary receptacle within a bore selection tool, a complementary receptacle configured for engagement with a unique protruding member disposed on a bore selection tool, or combinations thereof.
21. The system of claim 1, wherein said at least one chamber junction further comprises at least one circulating port in communication with an annulus for circulating at least one fluid.
22. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the additional orifices comprises an incomplete circumference, wherein the bore selection tool comprises an extension member beneath said at least one lower opening, and wherein the extension member is sized for passage through the at least one of the additional orifices to complete the incomplete circumference of the at least one additional orifice.
23. The system of claim 1, wherein the bore selection tool comprises a receptacle disposed above the upper opening, wherein the receptacle is configured to engage a placement tool, a retrieval tool, or combinations thereof.
24. The system of claim 20, wherein the bore selection tool comprises at least one protrusion sized to engage said at least one circulating port, and wherein engagement between said at least one protrusion and said at least one circulating port orients the bore selection tool such that said at least one lower opening is aligned with at least one of the additional orifices of said at least one chamber junction.
25. A method for operating a plurality of wells through a single main bore comprising at least one conduit, the method comprising the steps of:
- engaging a chamber junction with a lower end of the at least one conduit, wherein the chamber junction comprises a first orifice and a plurality of additional orifices;
- placing the first orifice of the chamber junction in communication with said at least one conduit;
- placing at least two of the additional orifices in communication with respective additional conduits using substantially continuous diameter passages, wherein each of the additional conduits communicates with a selected well of the plurality of wells;
- inserting a bore selection tool into said at least one conduit, wherein the bore selection tool comprises an exterior wall, a first opening, and at least one second opening; and
- orienting the bore selection tool within said at least one conduit, wherein the first opening is aligned with the first orifice of the chamber junction, the at least one second opening is aligned with an additional orifice of the plurality of additional orifices, and the exterior wall prevents communication between the chamber junction and at least one of the additional orifices of the plurality of additional orifices.
26. The method of claim 25, wherein the step of providing the chamber junction to the lower end of said at least one conduit comprises providing a plurality of parts of the chamber junction through said at least one conduit, wherein each part of the plurality of parts comprises a maximum dimension less than an inner diameter of said at least one conduit for enabling passage of each part of the plurality of parts through said at least one conduit, and assembling the plurality of parts to form the chamber junction.
27. The method of claim 26, further comprising the step of forming a subterranean wellhead downhole assembly with a plurality of additional conduits placed concentrically through each substantially continuous diameter passage, wherein each substantially continuous diameter passage comprises a dimension less than a diameter of a conduit hanger securable between an upper end of each additional conduit and said at least one chamber junction.
28. The method of claim 25, further comprising the step of providing at least one additional chamber junction and engaging said at least one additional chamber junction with a selected additional orifice of the chamber junction.
29. The method of claim 25, further comprising the step of rotating the bore selection tool within said at least one conduit, axially moving the bore selection tool within said at least one conduit, or combinations thereof, to align said at least one lower opening with a differing additional orifice of the plurality of orifices and to align the exterior wall with at least one differing additional orifice of the plurality of orifices.
30. The method of claim 25, further comprising the step of providing at least one isolation or choke device within at least one of the wells, at least one of the additional orifices, or combinations thereof.
31. The method of claim 25, wherein the step of providing the chamber junction to the lower end of said at least one conduit comprises placing the chamber junction beneath the surface of the earth.
32. The method of claim 31, wherein the step of placing the chamber junction beneath the surface of the earth comprises placing the chamber junction within a surface region or a shallow, near surface region of strata.
33. The method of claim 31, further comprising the step of communicating with the chamber junction, at least one valve, at least one manifold, or combinations thereof, disposed beneath the surface of the earth.
34. The method of claim 26, wherein the step of assembling the plurality of parts to form the chamber junction comprises providing a securing tool in communication with one or more of the plurality of parts and applying force to the plurality of parts to establish contact between said at least one part and at least one other part of the plurality of parts.
35. The method of claim 34, wherein the step of applying force to the plurality of parts comprises moving a piston of the securing tool to contact said at least one part using pressure within at least one portion of the securing tool, application of force through at least one portion of the securing tool, application of torque through at least one portion of the securing tool, or combinations thereof, to generate the force.
36. The method of claim 25, further comprising the step of providing a single valve tree in communication with an upper end of the single main bore, wherein the single valve tree is operable to communicate with any well of the plurality of wells.
37. The method of claim 25, wherein said at least one conduit of the single main bore comprises at least one first conduit usable for production and at least one second conduit usable for transporting substances into at least one well of the plurality of wells, the method further comprising the step of: producing substances from at least one of the wells through said at least one first conduit, said at least one second conduit, or combinations thereof, while transporting substances into at least one of the wells through said at least one first conduit, said at least one second conduit, or combinations thereof for facilitating production of one of the wells, maintaining pressure of one of the wells, disposing or storing materials within one of the wells, or combinations thereof.
38. The method of claim 25, wherein the step of orienting the bore selection tool within said at least one conduit comprises engaging a protruding member disposed on one of the bore selection tool, the chamber junction, or combinations thereof, with a complementary receptacle disposed within the other of the bore selection tool, the chamber junction, or combinations thereof, and wherein engagement between the protruding member and the complementary receptacle orients the bore selection tool such that said at least one lower opening is aligned with at least one of the additional openings of the chamber junction.
39. The method of claim 38, wherein the step of orienting the bore selection tool comprises selecting a single bore selection tool from a plurality of bore selection tools, wherein each bore selection tool comprises a unique protruding member, interior receptacle, or combinations thereof, and engaging the unique protruding member, interior receptacle, or combinations thereof of the single bore selection tool with a corresponding member within the chamber junction.
40. The method of claim 25, further comprising the step of communicating fluid between an annulus and the chamber junction via at least one circulating port in the chamber junction.
41. The method of claim 25, wherein at least one of the additional orifices comprises an incomplete circumference, and wherein the step of inserting the bore selection tool into the at least one conduit comprises passing an extension member of the bore selection tool through said at least one of the additional orifices to complete the incomplete circumference of the at least one additional orifice.
42. The method of claim 40, wherein the step of orienting the bore selection tool within said at least one conduit comprises engaging at least one protrusion of the bore selection tool with said at least one circulating port disposed in the chamber junction, and wherein engagement between said at least one protrusion and said at least one circulating port orients the bore selection tool such that said at least one lower opening is aligned with at least one of the additional openings of the chamber junction.
43. A method for providing communication with a plurality of wells through a single main bore comprising at least one conduit, the method comprising the steps of providing a plurality of conduits comprising an upper end and a lower end, wherein each conduit of the plurality of conduits has a substantially continuous diameter, and orienting the plurality of conduits such that each upper end of each conduit of said plurality of conduits is generally proximate to each other upper end;
- providing at least one main conduit comprising an internal cavity, an open upper end, and a closed lower end, wherein said at least one main conduit encloses each of the upper ends of the plurality of conduits;
- removing material from the internal cavity of said at least one main conduit to form a chamber such that each of the plurality of conduits intersects the chamber at an open internal bore comprising a plurality of additional orifices, thereby forming a chamber junction with a substantially continuous diameter passage through each of said additional orifices and each conduit of the plurality of conduits;
- engaging said at least one main conduit with said at least one conduit of the single main bore; and
- engaging at least two of the plurality of conduits with selected wells of the plurality of wells, thereby enabling communication with each of the plurality of wells through the single main bore and the chamber junction.
44. The method of claim 43, further comprising the steps of:
- providing a bore selection tool comprising an exterior surface, an upper opening, and a lower opening, wherein the bore selection tool comprises a diameter less than the diameter of said at least one main conduit;
- inserting the bore selection tool into said at least one main conduit; and
- aligning the lower opening of the bore selection tool with a selected additional orifice thereby providing access to at least one of the plurality of conduits while the exterior surface isolates at least one other of the plurality of conduits.
45. The method of claim 44, further comprising the step of communicating through said substantially continuous diameter passage by providing the bore selection tool with an interior guiding surface proximate to the lower opening for enabling guidance of fluid or objects passed through the upper opening bore selection tool to the lower opening and into said at least one of the plurality of conduits.
46. The method of claim 44, further comprising the step of communicating through said substantially continuous diameter passage by removing material from between the upper ends of the plurality of conduits and an intermediate point along the plurality of conduits to form a truncated point at the upper ends of the plurality of conduits, such that each conduit of the plurality of conduits comprises an incomplete circumference intersecting the chamber at an upper end of the chamber, wherein internal or exterior incomplete circumference truncations are usable with an extension member of the bore selection tool shaped to complete the partial circumference of at least one of the conduits of the plurality of conduits to, in use, form said substantially continuous diameter passage for communicating fluid or objects therethrough when said bore selection tool is inserted into said at least one main conduit and mated to said incomplete circumference.
Type: Application
Filed: Mar 14, 2013
Publication Date: Nov 21, 2013
Patent Grant number: 9777554
Inventor: Bruce A. Tunget (Westhill)
Application Number: 13/815,699
International Classification: E21B 41/00 (20060101); E21B 43/14 (20060101);